Welcoming Spring

Spring has finally arrived in our neck of the woods. At least we're hoping it has finally arrived. There is a forecast for snow flakes and possibly measurable snow midweek. But, my tulips are up on the south side of the house and the first crocus are blooming along with some snow drops. Spring really can't be that far behind for good....at least we hope!

I have been working on The Christmas Gazebo Sampler. It is slow going due to tendonitis in my elbow and arthritis in my hands and wrists which flare up during the change of season. I just work a little less at a time or vary what I'm working on. There have been other distractions including shopping for our daughter's wedding dress and four family birthdays and sadly a funeral for an infant in a month's time.

I have done a few crochet projects, too. One is a coffee sleeve which I've made two of.  The other is a monster that fits over a plastic egg. These are gifts for family members.

This time of year there is much to do outside as well as inside so it can be challenging to find a good block of time to work on my handwork. Gardening is one of my favorite things and I have been starting seeds and waiting patiently for the weather to warm so I can get them outside. Happy Easter to all!

Stitching the Winter Away

This winter started out very cold in November, even before the official day of winter.  I've been working on several projects since it is hard to be outside very long in subzero weather! I've completed a couple pair of crochet booties for friends. I have a picture of one but unfortunately forgot to take the picture of the other.

I finished a crochet lacy cowl that I'd hoped to complete before Christmas but didn't have the time to finish it plus I was stuck on one segment of the pattern! I finished it while I was on vacation in Florida, during the polar vortex. Best place to be during a polar vortex where wind chills reached -50 in MN!

I have pulled out another unfinished hardanger piece, Christmas Gazebo Sampler, that I plan to complete in 2014...maybe by Christimas. This is one I started when I had my first pair of bifocals and I couldn't work on it without feeling dizzy or getting a headache. I've adjusted to my bifocals, but hadn't gotten back to working on this piece. I am still working on The Quilter's Garden but that will  take some time to complete. 

With the way this winter is shaping up, I  may finish several of my unfinished projects and then some! 

Dragonfly Lace Framed

The Dragonfly lace is finally framed! I had a hard time getting a good picture without light reflecting on it. I have been busily finishing projects for Christmas and new baby gifts. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the little crochet booties I just finished. I have a crochet owl hat that I made for my grandson that I'll upload after Christmas. I am working on a crochet lace cowl for myself which just might get done for Christmas....It will be nice to get back to doing projects on a little more relaxed schedule.

We are enjoying a little "warmer" weather than we had the end of November to early December, which felt like January! We will definitely have a white Christmas and a fire in the fireplace will feel very cozy with negative temps predicted for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning.

Merry Christmas to all!

Dragonfly Lace Completed

Since it is getting dark earlier in the fall I've found some time to do some of my handwork. I completed on of my unfinished projects which was a goal I set for this year. This only took a year and a half, but I did have severe back pain shortly after I started it. It is in the process of being matted and framed. I'll post then when it is completed.  

Works in Progress

This year I set a goal to complete those pieces I had started in the past couple of years. Usually, these are pieces I've been working on but have put down to complete another project of some sort that has a more immediate deadline. I have completed projects but have usually given them away as gifts. This piece, Yoder's Hill by Diane Graebner was a piece I saw first as a print piece. I couldn't afford the print piece and was excited to find the piece as a cross stitch. Little did I know that it would take me five years to complete it. It was another five years before I framed it.

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One of the pieces I am working on currently is Dagonfly Lace. I hope to complete this in the next couple of months.

Another piece I started sometime in the past couple of years is called A Quilter's Garden by Cross' N Patch. This one is going to take me awhile but I am excited to complete it.

Since spring has finally arrived in MN, I probably won't have as much time to work on these until I get the flowerbeds cleaned up and gardens planted. 

I've enjoyed doing hardanger for many years. The table runner piece that was made to fit my buffet took a long time to complete but it was so worth it. Currently I'm working on a Victoria Sampler piece called Dragonfly Lace http://www.victoriasampler.com/Catalogue/VS_Samplers/p81Sampler.aspx  Back issues and tendonitis have slowed my progress down on this plus a new grandbaby's arrival, but I hope to complete it this year.

Another of my favorite things to do while relaxing is crochet. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was a young girl. She made granny square afghans, doilies, filet crochet pictures of the Lord's supper and many other items. I have a few of her pieces that I cherish. I made an afghan for our grandson who was born this February.